Story of the hares who sent a hare as ambassador to the elephant, bidding him say, ‘I come to thee as the ambassador of the Moon in heaven to bid thee beware of (drinking from) this water-spring,’ as is told in full in the Book of Kalíla (and Dimna).

این بدان ماند که خرگوشی بگفت ** من رسول ماهم و با ماه جفت

This (claim made by you) resembles the saying of a certain hare—‘I am the ambassador of the Moon and companion to the Moon.’

کز رمه‌ی پیلان بر آن چشمه‌ی زلال ** جمله نخجیران بدند اندر وبال

For all the beasts of chase were in woe on account of a herd of elephants (dwelling) beside that limpid spring;

جمله محروم و ز خوف از چشمه دور ** حیله‌ای کردند چون کم بود زور2740

All were deprived (of water) and (were kept) far from the spring by dread: since (their) strength was inferior, they made a plot.

از سر که بانگ زد خرگوش زال ** سوی پیلان در شب غره‌ی هلال

From the mountain-top the old hare cried towards the elephants on the first night of the new-moon—

که بیا رابع عشر ای شاه‌پیل ** تا درون چشمه یابی این دلیل

‘Come on the fourteenth, O king elephant, that thou mayst find within the spring the proof of this (assertion).

شاه‌پیلا من رسولم پیش بیست ** بر رسولان بند و زجر و خشم نیست

O king elephant, I am the ambassador in thy presence. Stop! Ambassadors are not subjected to imprisonment and violence and wrath.